Automatic tuner



De- 12, 1950 B. A. scHwARz ErAL Re. 23,305

AUTOMATIC TUNER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Aug. 5, 1959 f5; f4? 139 ln /45 n;

B. A. scHwARz ETAL Re. 23,305

Dec. 12, 195o AUTOMATIC TUNER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 5, 1959 Dec. l2, 1950 B. A. SCHWARZ ETAL Re. 23,305

AUTOMATI C TUNER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 3, 1939 3nrnler Cmernegs Dec. 12, 1950 B. A. SCHWARZ TAL AUTOMATIC TUNER Original Filed Aug. 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2:7 lll L i if Y CLUTCH y j() /75 VIII1;/2

eissued bec.

23,305 AUTOMATIC TU'NR` Bertram A. Schwarz, Kokomo, Ind.,fand Ludwigy J. Fichter, Rockford, Ill., assigners to General' Motors Corporation, Detroit,- Michl, a corpora-= tion of Delaware originar No. 2,342,902, dated February 29`-, 1944',- Serial No. 288,201, August 3, 1939,- ApplicationT for reissue April 22, 1950, Serial No 157,618

19 Claims.

(c1. vs -10.39)

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets 1 appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in itaiics indicates the additions made by reissue This invention relates to automatic indexing means and more speciiically to automatic indexing mechanism for automatically tuning a radio communication device.

It has been found that certain persons, particularly children, have difficulty tuning radio receivers accurately and this invention provides push-button operated tuning means which enables one to quickly and accurately tune a radio receiver. This type of mechanism is found to be particularly useful for tuning radio receivers installed on automotive vehicles where the driver must give constant attention to steering as well as all the other duties connected with the safe operation of the vehicle.

Prior devices of this nature have been constructed as accessories to be added to conventional radio receivers which have made them unsightly in appearance and constructed so that they interfere with the operating controls on the automobile due to their size.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide adjustable automatic indexing control mechanism in which any one of a plurality of radio stations may be sharply tuned by one-way movement of one of a plurality of buttons conveniently located with reference to both the operator and the radio receiver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple but eiiicient indexing mechanism mounted on part of the housing which encloses it and also the radio receiver so that the complete assembly may be mounted in a small space out of the way of the control mechanism necessary to safe operation of the vehicle.

Another object of our invention is to provide a self-contained illuminating system for indicator mechanism associated with the automatic and conventional tuning control mechanism provided.

A still iurther object of the invention is to provide automatic mechanism associated with the automatic tuning means which renders the conventional tuning mechanism ineffective when the automatic tuning mechanism is in operation.

These and other objects will be best understood by reference to the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the control panel of the device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partly in broken horizontal section, of the control device.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view with some of the parts shown in vertical section and others broken away to show certain structural details.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view with parts broken away to show details of the associated electrical control mechanism.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation view similar to Figure 4 with some of the parts broken 1avi/ay further to show additional structural deails.

Figure I is a top plan view showing the lighting arrangements associated with the device with some of the parts thereof broken away.

Figure 8 is a side sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a side sectional view taken on line 1 1 of Figure 2.

Figure l0 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the circuit connections between the electrical devices associated with the control device.

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of details of the device.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, a tuning shaft I is mounted for rotary movement in thrust bearings, not shown, in a subframe 3. An adjusting yscrew and locknut indicated at 5 provides a means for adjusting these bearings in the frame 3. Rotary movement of the shaft I varies the characteristics of an electrical device in the tuning circuit of a radio communication device by varying either the capacity, inductance or resistance of the circuit.

The subframe 3 is supported on and insulated from a die-cast subframe I by three resilient, non-conducting bushings 9 extending through spaced holes in thev su'bframe 1. Cap screws II threaded to the ends of the subframe 3 extend through the bushings 9 and serve to compress them slightly so that the frame 3 is insulated both mechanically and electrically from the diecast frame T.

The die-cast frame 1 is fixed to a vertical plate I3 having upper and lower horizontal extensions I4. The plate I3 serves as a back plate to which vertical side plates II and I9 are riveted. A vertical front plate 2| having horizontal extensions 22 is riveted to the side plates Il and I 9 to form a rectangular hollow subframe indicated generally at 23 supporting selector mechanism to be referred to later. This subframe 23 on which the frame members 3 and I are carried is supported on a pressed metal stamping 25 and is iixed thereto by machine screws 21 extending upwardly through holes in the bottom of the stamping and threaded to the lower horizontal extensions I4 and 22 of-the front and back plates I3 and 2| respectively, as best shown in Figure 3. The pressed metal stamping 25 is formed with vertical side portions 24 and a vertical front face 26 and comprises the loWer part of a rectangular housing which encloses all the mechanism described above and about to be described together with associated apparatus not included in this application.

The control shaft I is driven by means of an insulated coupling device comprising a lever arm 29 riveted to one end of the shaft and extending radially outward therefrom. The end 3| of the lever 29 is bent parallel to the shaft I and is reduced in width intermediate its extremities as indicated at 33 and extends through a radial slot 35 in a Micarta lever 31. A helical spring clip 39 placed between theend portion 3| of'the'leve'r 29 and the lever 31 exerts .a force tending to eliminate lost motion at this point of connection. The inner end of the lever 31 is attached by means of a key 4| to a collar 43 and held thereon by riveting the end 45 of the cellar 43k. Thecollar 43 is fixed tothe inner endvof a clutch'shaft 411 by a y.set screw 49.

The clutch shaft 41 is rotatably mounted in axial alignment with the control shaft I in bearings'fil and 53 located vin Webs 52 land 54 respectively in Aan' extension 55 of the die-cast subframe 1. The shaft 41 is provided with an outer end portion 51 of reduced diameter and a radial flange portion 59 adjacent thereto. A brass collar 9| is supported for rotation on the shaft portion 51 between the lflange 59 and a brass lthrust collar 53 which is fixed to the end of the shaft portion 51 by a set screw 65. The thrust collar 63 is located on the shaft inside the bearing 53. The collar 9| has a worm wheel 61 and a brass clutch disk 6,9 fixed thereto and rotatable therefwith. The clutch vdisk 69 is provided with an annular vfacing 1| of resilient friction material attached to the inner radial face. On the other end) of the shaft 41 adiacent the bearing 5| .an iron collar 13 is `fixed by a set screw 15. This collar has a spurgear 11 and an iron cup-shaped member'19 fixed thereon.` The outer annular portion of the cup' member 19 is provided with an axial slot 8|.` A copper-plated Viron clutch disk is located on the shaft 41 between the cup member and the clutch disk 59. The disk 83 is provided with an integral tongue 84 bent at right angles to the disk which extends parallel to the shaft and part way into the Slot 8| of the cup member so that it is revolved by, but capable of axial displacement with respect to the cup member 19. The clutch disk 83 is constantly urged to the right and `into engagement with the disk 69 by a helical spring 85 located concentrically with respect to the shaft 41 in a counterbore 81 of the collar 13.

Disengagement of the clutch disks 59 and 83 is accomplished by the following structure. The annular space between the collar 13, cup 19, and clutch disk 83 contains an annular winding 89 suitably insulated from these members and held on the collar 13 by a turnedfup portion 9|. One end 93 of this winding is brought out through the slot 8| in the cup 19 and soldered at 80 to the gear 11 which is grounded. The other end 95 of this winding is brought out through aligned holes, indicated at 91, in the gear 11 and cup 19 and is connected to a source of electrical energy by means of a switch which will be described later. By. this means it is evident that when the winding 89 is thus energized a magnetic eld is set up between cup 19 and disk 83 which will attract the disk and move it to the vleft Vagainst the force of the spring and out of driving engagement with the clutch disk 69.

' The shaft 41 is driven by the worm wheel 5l when the clutch elements 99 and 93 are engaged. The worm wheel 61 is in mesh with a worm 99 located below it and supported in bearings I9! in a bracket |93 xed to the 'web 54 of the extension 55`of the diefcast frame 'I by the machine screws |94 as best shown in Figures 2 and 9. The worm 99 is fixed to one end of a flexible driving shaft |95 for rotation thereby. The other end of the shaft is fixed to a manual control knob |01 supported for rotation in a bushing |99 attached to the front vertical face 26 of the stamping member 25 by a nut IIU. Rotation .of the Iknob |91 causes the shaft 41 and control shaft I to be rotated when the clutch elements S9 and 93 are in engagement. It will be evident that any other type of reduction gearing having irreversible characteristics may be used in place of the worm wheel B1 driven by the Worm 99.

The shaft 41 and control shaft I may also be driven by means of the spur gear 11 with the clutch elements 59 and 83 disengaged. The gear 11 meshes with a spur gear III having the same number of teeth as the gear 11 and is fixed by means of a pin ||3 to the end of a shaft II5. The shaft ||5 is supported in bearings I I1 and H19 in the side plates I1 and I9 respectively of the selector frame 23, parallel to the control shaft I and `clutch shaft 41. The shaft I I5 is provided with gear teeth intermediate the bearings I I1 and I 9 and constitutes an elongated pinion portion |21.

'The shaft |I5 is limited for movement angularly by a pin |23 pressed in a hole |25 extending diametrically through the end of the shaft IIE which extends through the bearing ||1. The end of the pin |23 is arranged to Contact abutments |21 and |29 integral with the side plate |1 of the selector frame 23 in either of its extreme angular positions. The abutments |21 and |29 are formed by punching and turning portions of the side plate Il outward at right angles thereto. The faces of these abutments are parallel to a vertical line extending through the center of the shaft ||5 as best shown in Figure 5.

The following mechanism is provided to indicate the` angular position of the shafts I, 41 and H5. A pointer |3| is fixed to a crosshead |33 slidably mounted on a horizontal guide member |35 located adjacent the vertical front face 26 of the metal housing member 25V and xed thereto by the bracketsl |34 and machine screws |36 as best` shown in Figures l, 2 and 6. A die-cast member |31, located in an opening in the front face 2E of the housing adjacent to the crosshead and guide members, has a vertical flange I4! through which the machine screws |39 and rivets |43 extend into the face 2E of the housing for holding this die-cast member |31 to the housing 25. The vdie-cast member is provided with an opening |39 in its front vertical face which is closed by a glass plate |45 having a calibrated scale |41. painted on its back face adjacent the top edge and a painted surface |49 on the back face adjacent the lower edge. The painted surface |49 is located below the lower edge of the opening |39 adjacent a horizontal flange I5| of the housing |31. The glass plate |45 is held in this position by a clamp member |53 provided with a painted front portion |55. and is fixed to the housing |31 by. machine screws |51 as best shown in Figure 6. The pointer |3| extends out-.- wardly from the crosshead |33 and passes through the opening between the lower edge of the clamp |53 and the upper surface of the flange |5| and is bent upward so that its end |32 is 1ocated between the back surface of the glass |45 and the painted portion |55 on the front surface of the clamp |53. The end |32 of the pointer |3| has its upper extremity located adjacent the lower edge of the scale |41 and is painted white.

The following mechanism is provided to move the crosshead |33 linearly along the guide member |35 so that the position of the pointer end |32 with respect to the scale |41 indicates the angular position of the control shaft I. A belt |59 is xed to the crosshead at |6| and extends horizontally from this point, passing over a pulley |63 carried on one end of the guide member |35 and around a driving pulley |65 located adjacent the spur gear and xed by means of a Set screw |61 to the shaft ||5. The belt continues around the driving pulley |65 and thence around a pulley |69 located cn the guide member |35 directly below and at an angle to the pulley |63 and then horizontally across and around a pulley |1| located on the opposite end of the guide member |35 and then back to the point of attachment |9| on the crosshead |33.

The die-cast member |31 is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs |13 extending between the horizontal flange |5| below the dial opening |39 and the lower vertical mounting flange |4| dividing this lower portion into ve sections (See Figures 1, 2 and 4) in which are located live selector push buttons indicated at |15. These buttons are connected to adjustable mechanisms capable of revolving the shaft ||5 in either direction to a plurality of predetermined angular positions which will be described later. The selector buttons are molded of plastic material and are best shown in Figures 1, 6 and 12. In the front face of each an opening |11 is provided through which may be observed broadcasting station identication tags |19. These tags |19 are made of translucent material and these, together with a transparent cover |8| and a Lucite backing strip |83, are located in a substantially vertical slot |85 extending part way down from the upper surface of the button.

The tags |19 and painted scale are indirectly luminated by a miniature incandescent bulb |81 supported in and having one terminal grounded to a metal tube |89. The tube is provided with a central opening |9| in the wall adjacent the back of the die-cast housing- |31. The tube |89 is supported in a horizontal position in the housing 25 by brackets |93 xed to the. sides 24 of the housing 25. Bushings extend through openings in the sides 2li of the housing and into the ends of the tube |83. One of these bushings has a central opening |95 through which extends an insulated conductor '|91 which is connected to the other terminal of the bulb |81. When this conductor is connected to a source of current the light from the bulb is reflected ofi" the interior surface of the tube |89 which may be painted white an-d passes out through the opening |9| and falls on the painted surface |49 on the back of the glass |45. Part of this light passes through the glass directly below the painted surface |49. The lower edge and a portion of the front face adjacent thereto of the glass |45 is painted and the light passing through the glass strikes the painted surfaces and by internal refiection illu- `minates the painted figures of the scale 41. Part of the light rays from the bulb are reflected oi the painted strip |49 of the glass and strike the painted front surface |55 of the clamp |53 from which they are reflected onto the painted end |32 of the pointer |3| and the space adjacent thereto, thus illuminatingV the needle directly and in silhouette. Rays from the bulb also pass through openings |52 in the flange |5| and fall on the upper1 edges of the Lucite strips |83 in the buttons |15 from which they are internally reflected and thus illuminate the translucent tags |19. The top and bottom edges of the glass |45 and Lucite strips |83 and the back surface of the tags |19 may be painted any given color so that both the -gures on the glass and the tags will be illuminated by light of the color selected.

In addition to the manual control knob |91 and connecting means for rotating the control shaft through an arc of substantially degrees, adjustable indexing mechanisms operated by the selector push buttons are provided. These mechanisms provide a meansfor rotating the control shaft in either direction to a plurality of preselected angular positions, Five such mechanisms are shown which provide a tuning means for a radio communication device so that any one of ve wave lengths may be obtained by simply pushing on the proper selector button. Any number of these buttons may be provided and each acts on a separate connecting means made up of identical parts. Any one button in combination with its adjustable connecting means is capable of rotating the shaft |I5 in either direction to a plurality of angular positions so that the co-ntrol shaft geared thereto will assume complementary positions. As al1 these mechanisms are identical, the following description will be confined to only a single mechanism. Each push button |15 may be inserted in a section of the die-cast housing |31 formed by the horizontal flange |5| and the vertical ribs |13 of the housing located below the dial opening |39. Each button is provided with a recessed portion |99 formed so that it will telescope and fit snugly over the end 26| of a slide bar 293 provided with a right angle end portion 295 and also fit over the knurled head 291 of a locking shaft 233 which will be referred to later. The lower wall of the button |15, as best shown in Figure i2, is provided with a rectangular opening 2|! and a beveled surface 2|3 adjacent thereto (see Figure 6) so that a spring finger 2|5 (see Figure 1l) which is fixed to the slide bar 293 by rivets 2|'| and provided with a downwardly projecting latch portion 2|9 and a beveled lip portion 22| adjacent thereto will readily enter the opening 2|| in the button when it is pushed on the bar 293 and hold it in the position shown in Figure fl. The button may be easily removed by exerting a slight upward pressure on the portion 2 |9 of the spring fin-ger 2|5 which extends through the opening 2|| in the button |15.

Each slide bar 293 is supported for reciprocal, horizontal movement in the frame 23 by a slotted opening 223 in the front plate 2| through which the end '29| extends. The bar 203 is of increased width adjacent the slot 223 and has a biiurcated end portion comprising an upper leg 225 and a lower leg 221. These legs extend above and below the pinion portion |2| of the shaft H5. Both the upper and lower legs are supported in slots 229 and 23| respectively in the rear plate i3. The lower leg 221 is provided with a downwardly extending hook portion 233 over which one end of a helical tensionl spring 235 is attached. The other end of the spring is attached to the front plate 2| and by this means the slide bar is urged outward so that an insulated abutment '231, which is formed by bending a portion of the upper extremity of the bar 203 outward at right angles thereto, is held in contact with the front plate 2| as best shown in Figures 2 and 3.

A pin 239 is riveted to the slide bar 203 at a point intermediate the support bearings and extends horizontally and at right angles to the bar. The end 24| of this pin is of reduced diameter and serves as a bearing for a cam 243 rotatably mounted thereon. The cam 243 is provided with two lobes 245 and 241 with an arcuate portion 249 extending therebetween and into the lobe portions to constitute stops 25| and 253. A brake shoe member 255 is provided with a vertical groove 251 having a complementary arcuate surface in contact with the arcuate surface 249 of the cam. The shoe is held in frictional contact on the cam by a leaf spring 259 clamped between the slide bar 203 and the end 26| of a shoe support bar 253 which is riveted at 265 to the slide bar 283. Both the spring 259 and end 28| of the bar 283 extend into a horizontal groove 2-51 located in the shoe 255 to prevent the shoe from turning with the cam. The other end of the shoe support bar is riveted to the end 24| of the cam support pin 239 (see Figures 2 and 3) The end 26! of the bar is provided with a threaded opening '259 through which the threaded end 21| of a hollow sleeve 213 extends and bears on the portion of the spring 259 in contact with the shoe 255 as shown best in Figure 3. This structure provides a means for locking the cam in any desired angular position with respect to the slide bar.

The other end of the sleeve 213 is supported for rotation in a drilled hole 215 in the right angle end portion 205 of the slide bar (see Figure 4). Rotation of the sleeve for locking the cam is accomplished by the locking shaft 209 having a knurled head 291, both of which have been previously referred to. The locking shaft 293 is supported for axial movement in the bore 211 of the hollow sleeve and is prevented from turning with respect thereto by a pin 28| pressed into a diametral hole near the inner end of the shaft 293. The ends of the pin 28| extend radially outward freni the shaft and are supported for axial movement in axial slots 285 located diametrically opposite each other in the wall of the sleeve. A. throat 288 is provided in the front face of the knurled head 2 81 so that the sleeve may be tightened with a screw driver to lock the cam tightly. A helical compression spring 231 is located in the bore 21'! of the sleeve which tends to urge the shaft outward and serves to project the push button on the slide bar 203. The knurled head 291 is moved outward with respect to the sleeve 213 by the spring 281 so that it may be grasped by the hand for locking or unlocking the cam.

Located adjacent eachslide bar 203 is an upper rack bar 289 and a lower rack bar 29|.- These bars are supported for horizontal reciprocal movement in slots 293 in the back plate I3 and slots 295 in the front plate 2| adjacent the slots 223, 229 and 23| supporting the slide bar 283. Both of these rack bars are provided with a rack portion 29'! meshing with the pinion portion |21 of the shaft ||5 at diametrically opposite points on its periphery. Each bar is provided with an abutment 299 spot-welded thereon and so located with respect to the slide bar that they will be contacted'by the lobes 245 and 241 of the cam carried thereon when it moves inwardly. Movement of the racks by the cam causes rotation of the shaft ||5 in a direction depending upon the position of the abutments with respect to the cam and angular position of the cam with respect to the slidebar 203.

When the control shaft is to be rotated by the selector means, it is necessary to disconnect the clutch elements 69 and 83 which allows the shaft 41 to rotate with respect to the worm wheel 61. In order to do this the winding 88 must be connected to a source of current by an electrical switch indicated generaly at 30| (see Figure 5). This switch consists of a contact 303 fixed to a spring member 304 clamped between insulated members 305 and held on the side plate |1 by machine screws 301. Another contact 389 is riveted to an insulation strip 3|| which is attached to the bent end 3|3 of a rod 3|5 by a rivet 3|1. The rod 355 is supported for rotation in alignment holes 3|1 and 3| 9 in the angular extensions- 32! and 323 respectively on either end of the front plate 2| of the selector frame 23 as shown in Figures 2 and 5. A helical torsion spring 324 located on the opposite rod end 325 and having one end hooked over the rod end and the other hooked over the extension 323, serves to normally hold the contact 309 in a spaced angular relation with respect to the contact 303 and maintain the straight portion 321 of the rod in contact with the beveled portions 329 formed on the inner end of the upper surface ofthe push buttons |15. The beveled portions 329 act as cams and initial inward movement of any push button lifts the portion 321 of the rod and causes the switch contacts 383 and 303 to be closed.

The various electrical devices and control associated with the complete device are connected as shown in Figure 10 in which 329 is a battery, one side of which is grounded at 33| and the other side connected to a switch 333. This switch may be operated by a volume control knob 335 located on the housing member, as shown in Figure 1, and is connected to the light |81 andswitch 30| by the conductors |88 and 302 respectively.

The operation of the device is as follows: The switch 333, when closed by turning the volume control knob 335 from the off position, establishes a circuit to ground through the indicator light bulb |81 and connects the contact of the switch 30| to the battery 329. Turning the tuning con-v trol knob |01 revolves the control shaft by means of the worm 99, worm wheel 61 and clutch elements 69 and 83. The shaft ||5 is revolved by the gears 11 and and the upper and lower rack bars 289 and 29| meshing with the shaft pinion portion |2| are moved linearly in opposite directions. moved by the belt |59 driven by the pulley |65 fixed to the shaft I5 until a broadcasting station is received and identified by the reading on the scale |41 adjacent the needle end |32. In order to cause the control shaft to be moved to this position by any one of the selector buttons |15, the following adjustments are made.

VWith the receiving set tuned to any identified station desired, any push button |15 is removed which allows the knurled head 201 to be moved outwardly by the spring 281 so that it may be turned to the left by hand or by a screw driver inserted in the throat 208 therein to unlock thecam 243. The slide bar 203 is pushed inwardly until the upper and lower lobes of the cam conf.

The indicating needle |3| is likewise tact both of the abutments 299 on the rack bars 289 and 29| which causes it to assume an angular position with respect to the slide bar, depending upon the relative positions of the rack bars. The cam may be locked in this positionby a screw driver while the slide bar is in its innermost position or by turning the knurled head upon the return of the slide bar and head to their normal outward positions. With the push button removed no movement of the rod portion 321 occurs when the slide bar is moved inwardly and the switch 30| which is actuated by this rod remains open which prevents disengagement of the clutch elements 69 and 83. The shaft H5 will be accordingly prevented from rotating by its geared connection with the tuning shaft which is held stationary by the engaged clutch elements and the worm gearing associated therewith while the cam is being set. This setting procedure is repeated for each slide bar cam and the removable identification tags may be lettered with the station call letters which the receiver will be tuned to upon subsequent inward movement of the individual slide bars.

'Ihe shaft H5 is moved to any one of these five positions by the cams in the following manner. Referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that if the slide bar 203 is moved inwardly a slight amount, the rod portion 321 will be raised by the beveled portion 329 on the upper inner edge of the button. This movement rocks the rod end 3I3 to close the contacts of the switch SUI and energizes the coil 89 which disengages the clutch elements 68 and 83, rendering the control knob H11 ineffective for rotating the shaft 41` The control shaft I may now be moved by its connection to the shaft 41 which is rotated by the gear 11 meshing with the gear III fixed to the shaft H5. Rotation of these parts is resisted by the residual drag between the disengaged clutch elements, inherent friction of the moving parts and the restraint on the control shaft which may be varied by the end thrust adjusting means 5 located on one end of the shaft l.

Referring to. Figure 3, it will be observed that when the slide bar 203 is moved toward the shaft H5, the cam lobe 241 contacts the abutment 299 on the lower rack bar 29| moving it inward. The shaft I I5 will be rotated clockwise by the rack bar until the upper cam lobe 245 contacts the abutment 299 on the upper rack bar 289. When this occurs the movement of the shaft rack bars and slide bar ceases. The shafts H5 and l are retained in this position by bearing friction and the slide bar is returned to its original position by the spring 23 5. The switch 3l!! is opened when this takes place and the clutch elements are reengaged by the spring 85.

With this selector mechanism the control shaft l may be rotated in either direction to one of a plurality of angular positions and each mechanism may be adjusted to change any of these positions by unlocking the cam carried on the slide bar and tuning another station by means of the control knob. This changes the angular position of the shaft H5 and the cam may be moved with reference to the slide bar by pushing the bar inward. The cam is then locked and the shaft will be moved to this new position whenever the slide bar is pushed in.

We claim:

l. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to the control shaft, actuating 10 means for said reciprocable means to rotate said control shaft in either direction to a predetermined angula1` position, rotatable means for rotating said control shaft to any one of a plurality of angular positions, clutch means normally connecting said rotatable means to said control shaft and means for disconnecting said clutch means, said last named means including control means engageable by and operable by said actuating means.

2. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, reciprocable actuating means'for said`reciprocable means to rotate said control shaft in either direction to a predetermined angular position, rotatable means for rotating said control shaft in either direction to any one of a plurality of angular positions, clutch means normally connecting said rotatable means to said control shaft and means for disconnecting said clutch means, said last named means including control means engageable by and operable by said reciprocable actuating means.

3. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, reciprocable actuating means for said reciprocable means' movable in one direction to rotate said control shaft in either direction to a predetermined angular position, means normally biasing said actuating means to its inoperative position, rotatable means for rotating said control shaft to any one of a plurality of angular positions, said rotatable means having irreversible characteristics, clutch means normally connecting said rotatable means to said control shaft and means for disconnecting said clutch means, said last named` means including control means engageable by and operable by movement of said reciprocable actuating means from its inoperative position.

Ll. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, recipro-v cable actuating means for said reciprocable means including adjustable means for contacting said reciprocable means whereby said control shaft may be rotated to any one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions, rotatable means for rotating the control shaft in either direction and holding said shaft in any one of a plurality' engageable by and controlled by said reciprocabl actuating means. Y

5. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, reciprocableactuating means for said reciprocable means to rotate said control shaft to any one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions, said actuating means including a member angularly adjustable with respect thereto adapted to be moved thereby means adapted to be supported on said actuating means and resilient means for retaining said removable means thereon, rotatable means for ro- 4 tating said control shaft in either direction to into contact with said reciprocable means, locking means for said member, removable 11 any one of a plurality of angular positions, a clutch normally connecting said control shaft to said rotatable means, and means for disconnecting said clutch, said means including switching means engageable by said removable means and controlled by initial movement thereof when retained on said reciprocable actuating means.

6. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechranism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, reciprocble actuating means for ysaid reciprocable means to rotate said control shaft to any one o f a plurality of predetermined angular positions, said actuating means including an angularly adjustable member adapted to contact said reciprocable means, telescopic means for locking said angularly adjustable member in any one of a plurality of angular positions on said actuating means, said telescopic means normally biased to project beyond said actuating means, a removable kpush button adapted to Ybe supported on said actuating means, resilient means retaining said push button thereon and depressible to .release said push button therefrom, said push button when retained on said actuating means serving to enclose and hold said telescopic locking means retracted, rotatable means for rotating said control shaft in either direction to any one of a plurality of angular positions, clutch means normally connecting said control shaft with said rotatable means, means for disconnecting said clutch means and control means for said last named means engageable by said push button and controlled by initial movement thereof when retained on said actuating means.

7. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a .control shaft, reciprocable means operatively connected to said control shaft, actuating means for said reciprocable means to :rotate said shaft in either direction to a predetermined angular position, said means including removable means and manually operable retaining means therefor to release said removable means, rotatable means for rotating said control shaft in either direction to any one of a plurality of positions, a clutch normally connecting said control shaft to said rotatable means and including an electromagnetic winding adapted when energized to disconnect said clutch and a control switch connected electrically to said electromagnetic winding to control the energization thereof,

said switch actuated by said removable means' when retained on and initially moved by said actuating means.

8. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechfor radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, a plurality of motion transmitting means operatively connected to said shaft, actuating means vfor each-0f said motion transmitting means, each of said actuating means being radially movable with respect to said shaft and comprising adjustable means capable of being moved into contact with one of said motion transmitting means to rotate said control shaft in either direction to any one of a plurality of preselected angular positions, telescopic locking means for said adjustable means including biasingmeans to extend said locking means for manual operation thereof, a removable button mounted on said actuating means to enclose and hold said telescopic locking means collapsed and manually releasable retaining means for vretaining said button on said actuating means, a member supporting all the above apparatus provided with an aperture through which all of said buttons project for manual operation of each actuating means and the locking means associated therewith.

9. In an automatic indexing and tuning mechanism for radio communication devices comprising, a control shaft, a plurality of motion transmitting means operatively connected to the control shaft, actuating means for each of said motion transmitting means movable at right angles with respect to said control shaft, each of said actuating means comprising adjustable means capable of movement into Contact with one of said motion transmitting means to rotate said control shaft in either direction to any one of a plurality of preselected angular positions, telescopic locking means for said adjustable means including biasing means to extend said telescopic means for manual operation thereof, a removable push button mounted on said actuating means for manual operation thereof, manually releasable retaining means for retaining said button on said actuating means, said pushbutton when so retained enclosing and holding said telescopic locking means in a collapsed position and biasing means for said actuating means normally holding said adjustable means out of contact with said associated motion Y transmitting means,

5 means for rotating said tuning shaft in either direction and holding said shaft in any one of a plurality of angular positions including an actuating knob, and a clutch normally connecting said control shaft with said rotatable means, said clutch including an electromagnet adapted when energized to disconnect said clutch, switch means electrically connected to said electromagnet for controlling the energization thereof, actuating means for said switch operable by any one of Said push buttons when retained on its actuating mechanism, and a housing member supporting all of the above apparatus having apertures throughr which each rof said buttons and :said knob proj ects for manual operation.

10. In electrical apparatus comprising a movable tuning unit, in combination, a driving member for moving said tuning unit, connecting means for coupling said member to said tuning unit, means for `indica-ting the relative position of said tuning unit, connecting means for coupling` said indicating means to said driving member, manual means for moving said driving member,

friction clutch means for coupling said manualmeans to said driving member for manual operation, and release means operating on said clutch means for uncoupling the said manual means to said driving member and a plurality of plunger-operated cams, each adapted to rotate said rotatable member over a predetermined adjustable angle of rotation.

12. In a radio control device, a rotatable control shaft, a plurality of longitudinally movable driving and stopping means operably connected to the shaft, means projecting from each longitudinally movable means at an intermediate point in its length and a second longitudinally mov able means engaging the projecting means tov ,cause the driving and stopping means -to move 13 and rotate the shaft in either direction to a predetermined angular position.

13. In a radio control device, a rotatable control shaft, a plurality of longitudinally movable driving and stopping means operably connected to the shaft, means projecting from each longitudinally movable means at an intermediate point in its length, and a plurality of further longitudinally movable means each engaging a pair of the first-named longitudinally movable means to individually rotate the shaft to diierent predetermined angular positions.

14. In an automatic indescing means for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver overa predetermined band of frequencies, movable means operatively connected to said tuning means to move the same, manually adjustable means, friction clutch means interposed between the manually adjustable means and the movable means connected to the tuning means to provide for coupling and uncoupling said manually adjustable means and said movable means, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said movable means, longitudinally movable means arranged to engage the movable means operatively connected to the tuning means to independently move the latter, clutch actuating means, and means including means carried by the longitudinally movable means, for ejecting actuation of the clutch actuating means to actuate the clutch upon movement of the longitudinally movable means to disengage the manually adjustable means during operation of the longitudinally movable means.

15. In an automatic indexing means for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver over a predetermined band of frequencies, movable means operatively connected to said tuning means to move the same, manually adjustable means, clutch means interposed between the manually adjustable means and the movable means connected to the tuning means to provide for coupling and uncoupling said manually adjustable means and said movable means, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said movable means, longitudinally movable means arranged to engage the movable means operatively connected to the tuning means to independently move the latter, clutch actuating means, and means including means carried by the longitudinally movable means, for effecting actuation of the clutch actuating means to actuate the clutch upon movement of the longitudinally movable means to disengage the manually adjustable means during operation of the longitudinally movable means, said means carried by the longitudinally movable means being movable with respect to the longitudinally movable means so that it can be moved away from actuating position as desired.

16. In an automatic indeing means ,for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver over a predetermined band of frequencies, rotatable means operatively 'onnected to the tun- .ing means to drive the same, a plurality of independent reciprocable members operatively associated with said rotatable means to rotate the same in either direction to a predetermined angular position upon relative motion with respect thereto, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said tuning means, manually rotatable means to drive the-rotaitable means, friction clutch means coupling and uncoupling said manually rotatable means and said rotatable means, clutch actuating means, and means including means on each of the reciprocable members, for ejecting actuation of the clutch actuating means to actuate the clutch upon reciprocatory movement of any one of the members to disengage the manually rotatable means during operation of any of the reciprocating members.

17. In an automatic indexing means for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver over a predetermined band of frequencies, rotatable means operatively connected to the tuning means to drive the same, a plurality of independent reciprocable members operatively associated with said rotatable means to rotate the same in either direction to a predetermined angular position upon relative motion with respect thereto, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said tuning means, manually rotatablelmeans to drive the rotatable means, clutch means coupling and uncoupling said manually rotatable means and said rotatable means, clutch actuating means, and means, including means on each of the reciprocable members, ,for eecting actuation of the clutch actuating means to actuate the clutch upon reciprocatory movement of any one of the members to disengage the manually rotatable means during operation of any of the reciprocating members, each of the means on each reciprocable member being movable away from operative position with respect to its reciprocable member to disable it from clutch actuation as desired.

18. In an automatic indexing means for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver over a predetermined band of frequencies, movable means operatively connected to said tuning means to move the same, manually adjustable means, clutch means interposed between the manually adjustable means and the movable means interconnecting the two in driving relation but permitting uncoupling, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said movable means, a plurality of independent reciprocable members, an adjustable cam member carried by each reciprocable member adapted to engage parts of said movable means to move the latter to dierent predetermined positions depending upon the setting of the cam, means carried by each reciprocating member to lock its cam in a desired position, clutch actuating means, and means, including means carried by each reciprocable member, for effecting actuation of the clutch actuating means upon movement of the reciprocable means toward said movable member.

19. In an automatic indezting means for a radio receiver, means for tuning said receiver over a predetermined band of frequencies, movable means operatively connected to said tuning means to move the same, manually adjustable means, clutch means interposed between the manually adjustable means and the movable means interconnecting the tivo in driving relation but permitting uncoupling, means for indicating the relative position of said tuning means, connecting means for coupling said indicating means to said movable means, a plurality of independent reciprocable members, an adjustable l5 am-member carried by each reciprocablemem' ber adapted to engage parts of said movable mea-ns to move the latter to different predetermined positions depending upon the setting of the cam, means carried by each reciproca-ting member to lock its cam in a desired position, clutch actuating means, and means, including means carried by each reciprocable member, for effecting actuation of the clutch actuating means upon movement of the reciprocable means to- 10 ward said movable member, said "last named means on each reciprocable member being mou able away from actuating position with respect to the reciprocable member to permit resetting of said cam means without causing actuation' of the clutch means.

BERTRAM A. SCHWARZ.

LUDWIG J. FIGHTER.

No references cited. 

